The doors closed behind her with a heavy sound.
Elowen flinched.
The inside of the mansion was even bigger than she imagined.
High ceilings stretched far above her head, decorated with golden patterns that shimmered under the light of grand chandeliers. The floors were smooth and polished, reflecting everything like a mirror. Paintings lined the walls—serious faces staring down at her as if judging her every step.
It was beautiful.
But—
…it didn't feel warm.
Elowen took a small step forward, clutching Pippin tightly.
Whispers followed.
Soft.
Sharp.
Unkind.
"…That's her?"
"She looks nothing like—"
"Is that really the young miss…?"
Elowen lowered her head.
Her fingers tightened in Pippin's fur.
She didn't understand.
Why were they looking at her like that?
Why did it feel like… she didn't belong here?
Her vision blurred.
She blinked quickly, trying to hold it in.
Don't cry…
Don't cry…
But the whispers didn't stop.
They grew louder.
Closer.
And colder.
Elowen's small shoulders trembled.
"…I…"
Her voice came out weak.
"I didn't do anything…"
A shadow moved in front of her.
"Enough."
The voice was firm.
Sharp.
The whispers stopped instantly.
Elowen looked up.
It was the guard.
He stood tall beside her, his expression stern as he looked at the surrounding servants.
"Show proper respect," he said. "She is the young miss of House Evercrest."
Silence fell.
Heavy and immediate.
The servants lowered their heads, but the feeling didn't disappear.
Elowen could still feel it.
That coldness.
That rejection.
She swallowed, her chest tight.
"…Young miss…" she repeated softly, as if the words didn't belong to her.
Footsteps approached—lighter this time.
"U-Um…"
Elowen turned.
A girl stood there.
She looked a little older—maybe fourteen—with soft features and nervous eyes. Her maid uniform was neat, but not as strict or imposing as the others.
She bowed quickly.
"M-My name is Mira, young miss," she said, her voice gentle despite her nervousness. "I've been assigned to assist you."
Elowen blinked.
"…Assist me?"
Mira nodded quickly.
"Yes! I-I'll take you to your room."
Room…
Right.
Elowen nodded slowly.
"…Okay…"
She followed quietly, staying close to Mira as they walked through long hallways that seemed to go on forever.
The whispers were gone.
But the feeling remained.
The door opened with a soft click.
"This will be your room for now, young miss," Mira said gently.
Elowen stepped inside.
It was… big.
Too big.
A large bed sat in the center, covered in soft fabrics. The curtains were long and elegant, the furniture polished and perfect.
Everything looked expensive.
Everything looked untouched.
It didn't feel like hers.
"…Thank you," Elowen said softly.
Mira smiled.
"You're welcome, young miss. If you—"
A small sound cut her off.
"…sniff…"
Mira froze.
Elowen stood in the middle of the room, her head lowered, her shoulders shaking.
"…Why…" she whispered.
Another tear slipped down her cheek.
"…Why were they looking at me like that…?"
Her voice broke.
"I didn't do anything wrong…"
Tears fell faster now, rolling down her soft, chubby cheeks.
"…They looked… so mean…"
Mira's heart clenched.
The sight in front of her—
A small girl.
Alone.
Crying quietly in a room too big for her.
It was too much.
Without thinking, Mira stepped forward and knelt in front of her.
"It's okay," she said softly.
Elowen looked up, her hazel eyes wet and trembling.
"…Is it…?"
Mira nodded gently, pulling out a handkerchief and carefully wiping her tears.
"They just don't understand yet," she said. "That's all."
Elowen sniffed.
"…Really…?"
"Really," Mira said, her voice warm. "And they're wrong to treat you that way."
Elowen hesitated.
"…Am I… really the young miss?"
Mira smiled softly.
"Yes."
She placed a gentle hand over Elowen's smaller one.
"You are."
Elowen looked down at their hands.
Then slowly
she nodded.
"…Okay…"
Mira's expression softened even more.
"From now on," she said gently, "I'll stay by your side, young miss."
Elowen blinked.
"…You will?"
Mira nodded.
"Yes."
A small pause.
Then
"I'll be your personal maid."
Elowen's eyes widened slightly.
"…Mine…?"
Mira smiled.
"Yours."
For the first time since entering the mansion
Elowen smiled.
Small.
Shaky.
But real.
"…Okay…"
She held Pippin closer.
"…Thank you… Mira…"
And just like that in a place that felt cold and distant.
she found her first bit of warmth.